"There is an urgent need to extend the period of paid maternity and parental leave, and to provide for paid leave for fathers," according to the leader of the Labour Party, Pat Rabbitte.
Mr Rabbitte said parents should be able to spend more time with their children especially when they are young.
Speaking in Cork tonight, Mr Rabbitte said his party's policy would put the needs of children first.
"We want more parental leave, better financial support, more places, a free pre-school year for every child, and investment in the quality of childcare," he added.
Mr Rabbitte also accused the Government of "scrambling" a childcare package together to assuage public anger. He added that the current Government was neither capable of clarity of vision nor sustained political commitment".
